JP2002101377A - Hybrid camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hybrid camera in which the cost increase of the camera is suppressed, which is convenient and in which device performance can be improved. SOLUTION: This hybrid camera consists of a silver salt image pick up means 7, a digital image pick up means 15, a CPU 16, a mode button 17, an overwriting and storing button 18, an approval button 19 and a rejection button 20. The CPU 16 decides whether or not old image data to be an overwriting candidate exist at the time of extracting old digital image data, decides whether or not extracted image data are photographed in a digital mode, and prohibits overwriting and extracts the second oldest digital image data in the case of deciding to be the digital image data. Because the digital image data photographed in the digital mode are allowed to be overwritten, it is possible to reliably perform image pick up in a hybrid mode, even when there is no empty capacity in the storage capacity of a storing part 14 and also, an unimaged silver salt film 4 exists.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hybrid camera provided with both a silver halide imaging means for capturing an image on a silver halide film and a digital imaging means using an imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS imager. The present invention relates to a method of storing captured digital image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, both a silver halide photographing means for recording a subject image on a silver halide film and a digital imaging means for taking in and storing image data relating to the subject image using an image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS imager. A hybrid camera configured by incorporating a camera has been put to practical use.

[0003] This type of hybrid camera not only captures an object on a silver halide film by the silver halide photography means like a silver halide camera but also includes the digital photography means. Image data relating to the subject image and store the image data, or the image data can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as a memory card. By connecting the memory card to an external device, for example, a printer or a personal computer,
Since it is also possible to perform color printout and image editing of the image data, it can be used in a wide range, and since it is a necessary device for digital media, future demand is expected.

Along with such demands, various proposals have been made on hybrid cameras, but no proposal has been made on a method of storing and storing captured digital image data in a hybrid camera. At present, there is a demand for a digital image data storage and storage method that is most suitable for a hybrid camera. By the way, with respect to such a method of storing and storing digital image data, as a conventional technique, for example, a method of storing and storing digital image data employed in a digital still camera (hereinafter, referred to as a digital camera) or a surveillance camera is exemplified. There is prior art.

In the former method of storing digital image data of a digital camera, generally, digital image data is sequentially recorded in a free area of a storage means mounted on an existing digital camera, and the free area of the storage means is exhausted. At this point, a warning is displayed and control is performed to prohibit the imaging operation.
In other words, in order to take an image in a state where there is no free space in the storage means, the digital camera user has to erase some or all of the digital image data and create a free space in the storage means.

On the other hand, the latter method of storing and storing digital image data of a surveillance camera is different from the above-described method of storing and storing digital image data of a digital camera. In other words, since the surveillance camera gives the first priority to always monitor, the surveillance camera cannot stop monitoring because there is no free space in the storage means as in the case of the digital camera. Therefore, there is no problem if the storage capacity of the storage means of the surveillance camera is infinite, but it is not realistic. A method of providing a plurality of storage means and storing and storing digital image data while switching is also conceivable. However, this method has a limit, and finally an inexhaustible storage means is required.

In view of the above, there has been proposed a method for storing and storing digital image data of a surveillance camera in view of the limitation of the storage capacity of a storage means.
In a terminal device for a remote image monitoring system described in Japanese Patent No. 40889, a method for storing and storing digital image data of a monitoring camera for performing a monitoring task effectively is disclosed.

According to this proposal, the surveillance camera sequentially records digital image data, which is a surveillance video, in the storage means, and when there is no free space in the storage means, the surveillance camera moves to an area where old digital image data is recorded. Perform overwrite save.
More specifically, the storage space of the storage means is considered as an addressed address space, and digital image data is recorded in order starting from the head address. Digital image data is overwritten and recorded in order from the address storage space. Therefore, according to this storage and storage method, the storage capacity of the storage means is apparently infinite and the monitoring camera can perform long-term monitoring.

As described above, the conventional methods for storing and storing digital image data are generally of the above two types. One is a method of storing and storing digital image data that can be stored in the storage capacity of the storage means. Another method is to prohibit the storage of data exceeding the capacity, and another method is to overwrite the data exceeding the storage capacity of the storage means in the storage area of the old data. These methods of storing and storing digital image data can be said to be methods suitable for respective applications such as digital cameras and surveillance cameras.

[0010]

By the way, considering the use of the hybrid camera, the hybrid camera is
As described above, since the camera is provided with both the silver halide imaging means for capturing an image on a silver halide film and the digital imaging means for capturing a digital image with an imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS imager, the above-mentioned two imaging modes are used. In a combination of different types of imaging means, a silver halide mode in which only a silver halide film is imaged, a digital mode in which only a digital image is captured, and a hybrid in which both the imaging means are used to simultaneously capture a silver halide film and a digital image 3 with mode
There are three imaging modes.

In consideration of the suitability of the prior art digital image data storage and storage method for each photographing mode application, digital images are not taken in the silver halide mode, so that the storage capacity of the storage means is not considered. It's irrelevant for good, but in hybrid mode,
Since the mode is a mode in which a silver halide film and a digital image are simultaneously captured, for example, when there is insufficient space in the storage capacity of storage means for storing and storing digital image data even though there is a remaining silver halide film, If the image capturing is prohibited for a portion exceeding the storage capacity of the storage means as in the corresponding conventional technology, the image capturing in the hybrid mode cannot be satisfied. Therefore, the suitability of the hybrid camera and the method of storing and storing digital image data corresponding to the digital camera is not preferable.

On the other hand, considering the digital image data storage and storage method corresponding to the surveillance camera and the suitability of the hybrid camera, if the silver halide film has a residue and the storage capacity is insufficient, the digital In the image data recording and storing method, control is performed so as to overwrite and store the oldest digital image data. At this time, for example, if the digital image data destroyed by overwriting has been captured in the hybrid mode in the past, the digital image data is destroyed by overwriting even though the imaging was in hybrid mode. Therefore, the imaging mode itself is not different from the silver halide mode. Therefore, it cannot be said that the appropriateness of the digital image data storage method corresponding to the hybrid camera and the surveillance camera is also preferable.

Therefore, as described above, the conventional digital camera and the surveillance camera correspond to the two cameras respectively.
In any of the types of digital image data storage and storage methods, any of the methods does not cause any inconvenience when the imaging mode is the digital mode, but may cause the inconvenience as described above in the case of the hybrid mode. There is a problem that the imaging in the mode cannot be satisfied.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to smoothly execute the imaging in the hybrid mode even if the storage capacity of the storage means is limited, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the camera. It is another object of the present invention to provide a hybrid camera that is easy to use and that can improve the performance of the device.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid camera, comprising: an exposure unit configured to expose a subject image to a silver halide film; an imaging unit configured to capture the subject image using an image sensor; A storage unit for storing digital image data captured by the imaging unit, and at least two modes of a digital mode for capturing only a digital image and a hybrid mode for capturing a digital image and exposing the film to a silver halide film are set. Possible mode setting means;
Control means capable of controlling the storage and storage of digital image data in the storage means and controlling the execution of the mode set by the mode setting means, wherein the control means is configured to perform the control in the at least one mode. When the storage means has no or insufficient free storage capacity, control is performed so that the captured digital image data is overwritten on the digital image data already recorded in the storage means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the hybrid camera having the above-mentioned configuration, the control means causes the digital camera to take an image when there is no or insufficient free storage capacity in the storage means in the at least one mode. The image data is controlled so as to overwrite the digital image data already recorded in the storage means. Thereby, even if the storage capacity of the storage unit is limited, imaging in the hybrid mode can be performed smoothly, cost increase of the camera can be suppressed, and convenience is good.
Equipment performance can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hybrid camera according to the first aspect.
The control means performs control so as to prohibit overwriting on digital image data captured in the hybrid mode and permit only overwriting on digital image data captured in the digital mode.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means prohibits overwriting on digital image data captured in the hybrid mode and permits only overwriting on digital image data captured in the digital mode. Therefore, even when there is no free space in the storage capacity of the storage means and there is a silver halide film which has not been imaged, it is possible to reliably execute the imaging in the hybrid mode. A similar effect can be obtained.

The hybrid camera according to the third aspect of the present invention is the hybrid camera according to the first aspect,
The control means controls so as to prohibit overwriting on digital image data captured in the digital mode and permit only overwriting on digital image data captured in the hybrid mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in contrast to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means prohibits overwriting of digital image data picked up in the digital mode and prevents digital image data picked up in the hybrid mode. Control is performed to permit only overwriting to image data. This allows
Regardless of the hybrid mode, the effect can be exerted when it is difficult to capture many images anyway, that is, the effect is obtained that more images can be captured with a small storage capacity. Other effects are the same as those of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a hybrid camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing a schematic configuration of the hybrid camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hybrid camera according to the present embodiment includes a silver halide photographing means 7 for recording a subject image on a silver halide film (in the figure, referred to as a film) 4, a CCD, and a CCD.
Digital imaging means 15 for capturing and storing image data relating to a subject image using an imaging device 11 such as a camera or a CMOS imager, a sequence controller (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 16 capable of system control of the entire camera, and operation by a user Operation buttons such as a mode button 17, an overwrite save button 18, an accept button 19, and a reject button 20.

The silver halide imaging means 7 includes a first variable power optical system 1, a first aperture / shutter unit 3, and a first driving unit 5.
And the first peripheral circuit section 6 so that the silver halide film 4 can be mounted.

In the silver halide imaging means 7, the first variable power optical system 1 is an optical means for guiding light from a subject to the silver halide film 4, and the angle of view of the optical means is variable. It has a variable power function. Further, the first variable power optical system 1 includes a first focus adjusting optical system unit 2, and the first focus adjusting optical system unit 2 forms light from a subject on the silver halide film 4. It has a function for imaging.

The first aperture / shutter section 3 is for controlling exposure to the silver halide film 4, and is provided with an aperture adjustment mechanism and a shutter drive mechanism (not shown). The first drive unit 5 includes the first variable power optical system 1, the first focus adjustment optical system unit 2, and the first aperture / shutter unit 3.
And a drive unit for performing drive control such as winding and rewinding of the silver halide film 4.

The first peripheral circuit section 6 includes a member having a function not directly related to the description of the present invention, a circuit member, and the like.
There are lighting means such as a light emitting strobe.

The first driving section 5 and the first peripheral circuit section 6 are connected to a CPU 16 respectively.
The operation control required for imaging by the PU 16 is performed.

On the other hand, the digital imaging means 15
, A variable aperture optical system 8, a second aperture / shutter unit 10, an image sensor 11, a second drive unit 12, a second peripheral circuit unit 13, and a storage unit 14. I have.

In the digital image pickup means 15, the image pickup device 11 is constituted by a CCD or CMOS imager, and light from a subject (subject light) taken in through the second variable power optical system 8. Is formed on the image sensor.

The second variable power optical system 8 includes the image pickup device 11
It is an optical means for guiding light from a subject to an object, and has a variable power function for changing the angle of view of the optical system means. Further, the second variable power optical system 2 includes a second focus adjustment optical system unit 9, and the second focus adjustment optical system unit 9 forms light from a subject on the image sensor 11. It has a function to make it work.

The second aperture / shutter section 10 is for controlling the exposure of the image pickup device 11, and is provided with an aperture adjustment mechanism, a sensor controller driving mechanism, etc., although not shown. The second drive unit 12 is a drive unit for performing drive control of the second variable power optical system 8, the second focus adjustment optical system unit 9, and the second aperture / shutter unit 10.

The second peripheral circuit section 13 includes a member having a function not directly related to the description of the present invention, a circuit member, and the like. For example, the second peripheral circuit section 13 displays a captured digital image. Display means.

The storage section 14 is storage means for recording captured digital image data, and is composed of, for example, a small hard disk or a flash memory, and is also capable of mounting a storage medium such as a memory card. In this case, in this case, it is also possible to store or read out the image data taken in from the image pickup device 11 on the attached memory card.

The image pickup device 11 and the second drive unit 1
2. The second peripheral circuit unit 13 and the storage unit 14
Each of them is connected to the CPU 16 so that the CPU 16 controls the operation necessary for imaging.

That is, the CPU 16 is capable of system control of the entire camera, controls all of the silver halide imaging means 7 and the digital imaging means 15, and further acquires digital image data from the imaging element 11. do it,
It also performs image processing calculations and the like.

The CPU 16 is connected to operating means such as the mode button 17, the overwrite save button 18, the accept button 19, the reject button 20, and the like.
6, when the mode button 17 of these buttons is pressed, based on an operation signal from the mode button 17,
It is also possible to perform processing control such as changing and setting the imaging mode of the hybrid camera.

In the hybrid camera of the present embodiment having the above configuration, the following photographing modes can be executed.

That is, in the hybrid camera shown in FIG. 1, a silver halide mode in which only the silver halide imaging means 7 captures an image on the silver halide film 4 alone, a digital mode in which only the digital imaging means 15 captures an image only in the imaging element 11, and a silver mode. Salt imaging means 7
And at least three photographing modes, that is, a hybrid mode in which both the silver halide film 4 and the image pickup device 11 simultaneously take images by making full use of both the digital photographing means 15 and the CPU 16 mounted on the camera. Any one of these three photographing modes is selectively switched and executed based on the operation signal.

In this embodiment, the operation means of the overwrite save button 18, the accept button 19, and the reject button 20 necessary for executing the recording and saving operation of the digital image data, which is a feature of the present invention, are provided to the CPU 16 respectively. It is connected.

The overwrite button 18 is an operation means (switch means) for switching between permission and prohibition of overwriting and saving of digital image data by pressing the overwrite button 18 by the user.

The accept button 19 and the reject button 20 are used to determine whether to accept the next operation when a warning and the next operation are displayed before the digital image data is stored in the storage unit 14. This is an operation means (switch means) for the user (photographer) to determine whether to reject and input a determination instruction.

Therefore, when the overwrite button 18 is pressed, the CPU 16 controls the operation of switching between the operation of permitting and prohibiting the overwriting of digital image data in the storage unit 14 based on the operation signal from the overwrite button 18. In addition, based on an operation signal associated with the press of the accept button 19 and the reject button 20, a warning and a next operation when a next operation is displayed before execution of storage of the digital image data in the storage unit 14 are executed. Controls execution.

(Operation) Next, a control operation which is a feature of the hybrid camera of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an imaging sequence that is a feature of the present embodiment in the CPU 16 of FIG. In addition, in the control operation example which is a feature of the present embodiment, since the digital image is not taken in the silver halide mode, it is excluded from the description of the control operation of this imaging sequence. However, the silver halide mode is not limited to the above-described “imaging only on the silver halide film”,
A digital image may be taken and only the display by the second peripheral circuit unit 13 may be performed. Of course, digital image data is not stored.

Now, it is assumed that the power supply unit (not shown) of the hybrid camera shown in FIG. 1 is turned on, or the power is turned on by inserting a battery. Then, the CPU 16 is activated, a main routine (not shown) is executed, and the hybrid camera enters a shooting standby state.

Assume that the user (photographer) presses a release switch (not shown) of the hybrid camera during the standby state. Then, the CPU 16 executes the imaging sequence in the main routine, that is, activates the imaging sequence of FIG.

The CPU 1 first measures the distance of the main subject by using the first peripheral circuit section 6 (distance measuring means) in the processing of step S50, and furthermore, the first and second focus adjusting optical system sections 2 and
9 and the first and second driving units 5 and 12 are controlled so as to adjust the focus of the imaging optical system. Upon completion of such photometry and focus adjustment processing, the flow proceeds to step S51.

In the process of step S51, the CPU 16
Controls photometry of the object scene using the first peripheral circuit unit 6 (photometry means), and performs exposure calculation processing based on the photometry result.

When the exposure calculation processing is completed, CP
U16 shifts the processing to the judgment processing of step S52,
In the determination process, the imaging mode is determined. That is,
The CPU 16 determines in this step S52 that
It is determined whether or not the imaging mode that has already been selected and set is the hybrid mode. If it is determined that the imaging mode is the hybrid mode, the process proceeds to step S53. If it is determined that the imaging mode is not the hybrid mode, the process proceeds to step S53. The mode is determined to be the mode, and the process proceeds to step S54.

In the present embodiment, the determination of the imaging mode is performed by the determination processing of step S52, and control is performed so that processing according to the imaging mode is performed according to the determination result. In the present embodiment, the silver halide mode is excluded as described above.

For example, when it is determined that the imaging mode is the hybrid mode in the determination processing in step S52, the CPU 1 controls the silver halide film 4 and the imaging element 11 to capture images simultaneously in the processing in step S53. The process proceeds to the subsequent step S55.

On the other hand, in the judgment processing of the step S52,
When it is determined that the imaging mode is not the hybrid mode, that is, the digital mode, the CPU 16 causes a process based on the digital mode to be executed. In other words, the processing shifts to step S54, where control is performed such that only the image sensor 11 captures an image, and the processing shifts to step S55.

Thereafter, the CPU 16 compares the size of the captured digital image data with the free storage capacity of the storage unit 14 in the determination processing of step S55, and
4 to determine whether the free storage capacity is sufficient or not. As a result, when it is determined that there is no shortage in the free storage capacity of the storage unit 14, the process proceeds to step S56, and the digital image data captured in the free space in the process is controlled to be recorded. Is completed, the imaging routine ends, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage capacity is insufficient, the processing shifts to the determination processing of step S57.

In the determination processing of step S57, the storage unit 1
4 is insufficient in storage capacity.
6 judges whether the overwriting is permitted or prohibited in the judgment processing. Specifically, the determination is made based on the setting contents of permission / prohibition of overwrite saving set by pressing the overwrite button 18. The setting of permission / prohibition of overwriting is made beforehand by the user (photographer) using the overwriting button 18 before the imaging sequence is started.
Is set. Alternatively, when the digital image captured this time is captured in the digital mode, overwriting may be prohibited. That is, the silver halide film 4
And there is no free storage capacity in the storage unit 14,
It is also conceivable that overwriting and saving is permitted only when the imaging mode is the hybrid mode.

Therefore, based on such a state, if it is determined in the determination processing in step S57 that the overwriting is prohibited, the CPU 16 shifts the processing to step S58, and an image is captured in the processing. For example, a warning that the digital image data cannot be stored is displayed on a display unit (not shown) in the second peripheral circuit unit 13 so as to display a warning. In the present embodiment, this step S58
Is not limited to this, and various variations are conceivable. For example, after displaying a warning that digital image data cannot be saved, create a timing to delete unnecessary digital image data,
Control may be performed so that recording is performed in the erased area.

On the other hand, if the overwriting and saving is permitted in the judgment processing in step S57, the CPU 16
The process proceeds to step S59, and digital image data is extracted from the storage unit 14 in chronological order of image capturing. At this time, the CPU 16 simultaneously acquires and recognizes information such as a start address and a storage capacity of the extracted digital image data on the storage unit 14.

Thereafter, the CPU 16 proceeds to the next step S6.
In the determination process of 0, when extracting old digital image data, it is determined whether or not there is old image data that is a candidate for overwriting. As a result, if it is determined that there is no old image data that is a candidate for overwriting, the CPU 16 shifts the processing to step S58, and instructs that the digital image data cannot be stored in the Control is performed so that a warning is displayed on display means (not shown) in the peripheral circuit unit 13. On the other hand, if there is digital image data that is a candidate for overwriting and the digital image data can be extracted, the CPU 16 shifts the processing to the subsequent determination processing of step S61.

In the determination processing of step S61, the CPU 1
6 determines whether or not the extracted image data is captured in the digital mode, and if it is determined that the extracted image data is digital image data captured in the hybrid mode instead of the digital mode, overwriting is prohibited. To extract the next oldest digital image data.
The process returns to 59. In this case, the overwriting of the digital image data captured in the hybrid mode is prohibited because the digital image data corresponding to the image captured on the silver halide film 4 is erased to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience in the hybrid mode. That's why.

On the other hand, in the judgment processing in step S61,
If it is determined that the digital image data is digital image data captured in the digital mode, the CPU 16 proceeds to the subsequent step S62.

In the judging process of step S62, the CP
U16 compares the size of the extracted digital image data with the size of the digital image data to be overwritten from now on, and when overwriting and saving, determines that the storage capacity of the storage unit 14 is insufficient, The process returns to step S59, and the next old image data is extracted. In general, digital image data is generally subjected to JPEG compression processing, and in the JPEG compression processing, the data capacity after compression varies depending on the image. Therefore, the data capacity to be overwritten may be larger than the data capacity to be overwritten. Further, when storing and storing digital image data, it is conceivable that one image data can be stored and managed by being dispersed discretely in the storage unit 14. In such a case, the step S
The determination process of 62 need not be performed. On the other hand, in the determination process of step S62, when it is determined that there is a storage capacity necessary for overwriting and overwriting is possible, the CPU 16 determines that overwriting is to be performed in the subsequent process of step S663. For example, control is performed so that a warning is displayed on a display unit (not shown) in the second peripheral circuit unit 13. At this time, in the warning display processing in step S53, control may be performed to display digital image data that will be overwritten. Variations are conceivable as a display method, and control may be performed so that a warning display is performed by superimposing and displaying the image captured on the mini screen.

After that, the CPU 16 shifts the processing to the judgment processing of the subsequent step S64, and in this judgment processing, the user (photographer) responds to the warning display in the step S63.
Judge whether or not has accepted the overwrite saving process. Specifically, as described above, the CPU 16 determines the user's will based on whether the accept button 19 or the reject button 20 has been pressed. As a result, the CPU 16 sets the reject button 2
If it is determined that the user (photographer) did not accept the overwrite saving by pressing 0, the process returns to step S59, the next old digital image data is extracted, and conversely, the accept button 19 is pressed. When it is determined that the overwriting is permitted by pressing, the digital image data captured in the process of step S65 is controlled to overwrite the extracted image data. And return to the main routine.

(Effect) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as described above, overwriting of digital image data captured in the digital mode is permitted, so that there is no free space in the storage capacity of the storage unit 14. In addition, even when there is a silver halide film 4 that has not been imaged, it is possible to reliably execute hybrid mode imaging. In addition, since the determination process is performed by using various buttons (accept button 19 and reject button 20), the user's intention at the time of overwriting can be easily operated, and operability can be improved. Is also possible. Therefore, in the hybrid camera, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the expensive storage unit 14, and it is possible to realize a hybrid camera that is low in cost and that can improve device performance and operability.

Second Embodiment (Configuration) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the hybrid camera according to the present invention.
And the CPU 16 which is a feature of the camera.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an imaging sequence in FIG. In FIG. 3, the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step S numbers.

The configuration of the hybrid camera of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the hybrid camera of the first embodiment, that is, substantially the same as the configuration shown in FIG. The difference is that the imaging sequence processing in the CPU 16 is improved. Note that a detailed description of the configuration of the hybrid according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.

(Operation) Next, a control operation which is a feature of the hybrid camera of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The control operation, which is a feature of the hybrid camera of the present embodiment, is substantially the same as the imaging sequence process of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, as described above. The feature is that the processing of step S100 is provided instead of step S61 in the imaging sequence processing state. Therefore, detailed description of the same step S numbers as those in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described. That is, in the imaging routine processing shown in FIG. 3, as described in the first embodiment, when extracting old digital image data in the determination processing of step S60,
It is determined whether or not there is old image data that is a candidate for overwriting. If it is determined that there is no old image data that is a candidate for overwriting, the process shifts to step S58 to execute the first embodiment. In the same manner as in (1), control is performed to display a warning on the display means (not shown) in the second peripheral circuit section 13 that the digital image data cannot be stored and saved.
On the other hand, there is digital image data that is a candidate for overwriting,
If the extraction is successful, in the present embodiment, the CPU 16
Shifts the processing to the determination processing in step S100.

In the determination processing of step S100, the CPU
16 determines whether or not the extracted image data is captured in the hybrid mode, and if it is determined that the extracted image data is digital image data captured in the digital mode instead of the hybrid mode, the overwriting is prohibited. Then, the process returns to step S59 to extract the next oldest digital image data. On the other hand, if it is determined that the digital image data is digital image data captured in the hybrid mode, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S62. Move to Thereafter, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2).

That is, in this embodiment, overwriting of digital image data captured in the digital mode is prohibited, and overwriting of digital image data captured in the hybrid mode is performed. Performs the reverse process. In this case, it is conceivable that the execution state of the hybrid mode of the photographing mode is affected. However, since the image remains on the silver halide film 4, it is effective when it is difficult to capture many images anyway. I do. That is, more images can be captured with a smaller storage capacity.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as described above, in contrast to the first embodiment, overwriting of digital image data picked up in the digital mode is prohibited, and the hybrid mode is used. Is controlled so as to overwrite the digital image data captured in the above, so that more images can be captured with a small storage capacity, that is, it is possible to reduce the cost and improve the performance of equipment. Become. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, but also includes applications of these embodiments.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the imaging in the hybrid mode can be smoothly performed even if the storage capacity of the storage means is limited, and the increase in the cost of the camera can be suppressed. It is possible to realize a hybrid camera that is easy to use and can improve the performance of the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a hybrid camera according to the present invention, and showing a schematic configuration of the hybrid camera.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an imaging sequence that is a feature of the present embodiment in the CPU 16 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the hybrid camera according to the present invention, and showing an example of an imaging sequence in a CPU 16 which is a feature of the camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st variable power optical system, 2 ... 1st focusing optical system part, 3 ... 1st aperture / shutter part, 4 ... Silver halide film, 5 ... 1st drive part, 6 ... 1st Peripheral circuit section, 7: silver halide imaging means, 8: second variable power optical system, 9: second focus adjustment optical system section, 10: second aperture / shutter section, 11: imaging element, 12 ... 2 drive unit, 13 second peripheral circuit unit, 14 storage unit, 15 digital imaging unit, 16 sequence controller (CPU), 17 mode button, 18 overwrite save button, 19 accept button, 20 ... Reject button.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 J

Claims (3)

[Claims] An exposure unit configured to expose a subject image to a silver halide film; an imaging unit configured to capture the subject image using an imaging device; and a storage unit configured to store digital image data captured by the imaging unit. A mode setting unit capable of setting at least two modes of a digital mode for capturing only a digital image and a hybrid mode for capturing a digital image and exposing the film to a silver halide film; and storing digital image data in the storage unit. Control means capable of performing storage mode control and execution control of the mode set by the mode setting means, wherein the control means has no free storage capacity of the storage means in the at least one mode. Or, in the case of shortage, digital image data captured is converted to digital image data already recorded in the storage means. Hybrid camera and controls to write. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the overwriting of the digital image data captured in the hybrid mode and controls only the overwriting of the digital image data captured in the digital mode. The hybrid camera according to claim 1. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit prohibits the overwriting of the digital image data captured in the digital mode and controls only the overwriting of the digital image data captured in the hybrid mode. The hybrid camera according to claim 1.